Lv Zhexiong paused for a moment before nodding.

Chen Kuang led the way, turning two corners, before arriving at the backyard.

This was also the first time Lv Zhexiong saw the entire house... it was even larger and more exquisite than she had imagined.

It wasn’t until Chen Kuang opened the door and walked into the room, with Lv Zhexiong stepping in, that she realized something was amiss.

This was not a study... but a bedroom.

Lv Zhexiong looked at the neatly arranged bed in the room, her steps froze in place, only to see Chen Kuang turn another corner and open a door to the side.

Behind that door was the study.

Lv Zhexiong was stunned.

Chen Kuang glanced back at the bed in the bedroom, smiling as he explained:

"This house actually belongs to my disciple. His conscience is sparse, only willing to give me one room. So I had to partition it into a bedroom and a study, hence only that single door leads in. Please, Fellow Daoist, do not be offended."

Upon hearing this, Lv Zhexiong felt a bit embarrassed.

So she had misinterpreted...

Chen Kuang led her into the study and asked her to sit before inquiring, "What troubles you today, Fellow Daoist?"

Lv Zhexiong’s seat faced the doorway, and as soon as she lifted her head, she could see the bed not far away, but she dared not spare it a glance.

The Daoist Nun turned her head, clutching the sachet in her hand tightly, and said in a low voice:

"Dual cultivation..."

Chen Kuang feigned surprise, "What?"

Lv Zhexiong steeled herself, closed her eyes, "The path of dual cultivation... I’ve recently been confused about it and hope... hope you can enlighten me, Senior."

After she finished this whole segment, her fair and exquisite face flushed with shyness, like a budding lotus in clear water, reflecting in its own image, gently stretching out its delicate petals, waiting for someone to pick it.

Just the two of them discussing the great path—how to instruct?

Chen Kuang moved in front of her, bent down, and said, "Really?"

Lv Zhexiong opened her eyes, only to find Chen Kuang’s face very near. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

She replied in a low voice, "Really."

Chen Kuang smiled, "Alright."

He, he agreed.

Lv Zhexiong’s heart was in turmoil, unsure if she should feel relieved or more nervous. Her mind was a mess, her heartbeat even faster than when she fought for her life.

What should she do next?

Before coming here, Lv Zhexiong had read the dual cultivation Chapter of the "Phoenix Suture Scripture" countless times, but now she couldn’t recall any of it...

As she was feeling conflicted, Chen Kuang straightened up and walked past her, pulling a book from the bookshelf.

With a smile on his lips, he opened the book in his hand and muttered, "The union of yin and yang, endless transformation... Previously, I spoke to you of the Path of Outer Alchemy, and this method of dual cultivation is indeed one of the traditional paths of the Inner Core."

Chen Kuang explained earnestly, "The Great Cultivator seeks the Innate True Lead, which must be obtained from the original point of granting qi and generating life, to acquire that innate true energy, in hopes of restoring their origin and returning to the heavens."

Lv Zhexiong was taken aback, then stammered, "These theories... I have learned them."

Chen Kuang strolled behind her, resting his hands on the chair back, pretending to be amazed, "Oh? Then do you know what the ’Innate True Lead’ is? What the ’original point of granting qi and generating life’ is?"

Being so serious, Lv Zhexiong dared not show any ’improper thoughts’ and replied, "The so-called ’Innate True Lead’ is a woman’s... a woman’s..."

Chen Kuang rolled up the book and gently tapped the chair back, imitating a teacher testing his students, "A woman’s what? Haven’t you learned it, Fellow Daoist?"

Lv Zhexiong nearly crushed the sachet in her hands before quickly saying the answer.

Chen Kuang laughed softly, asking, "And what is the ’original point of granting qi and generating life’?"

Lv Zhexiong couldn’t respond this time.

Chen Kuang sighed, "Alas, it seems you are not well-practiced in your teachings, Fellow Daoist."

"Why not take another look at mine? Learn these fundamentals well before discussing the path with me."

He handed her the book in his hand.

Lv Zhexiong felt a bit deflated, upset at herself for all her preparation, yet being so useless at the critical moment.

She was about to take the book from him when she noticed he had opened it to a certain page.

And on it was a detailed illustrated explanation of the phrase.

Indeed... this book had illustrations, and incredibly detailed ones at that, meticulous in every stroke.

Lv Zhexiong’s face turned red, "This...this book..."

Chen Kuang, looking serious, challenged, "What’s wrong with the book?"

Sneaking a glance at the adjacent text, Lv Zhexiong found that the book indeed held genuine cultivation techniques.

"... It’s profound and intricate," she could only stammer.

In truth... the book was illustrated intentionally this way.

Among cultivators, there were many who, when bored, indulged in quirky pleasures. While the techniques were orthodox, the illustrations were not standard.

A proper cultivation manual would not typically include full-color illustrations...

Suppressing her embarrassment, Lv Zhexiong attempted to pull the book toward herself but found it immovable... She glanced at Chen Kuang.

Chen Kuang remarked, "Fellow Daoist, this is ’the original point of granting qi and generating life’, understood now?"

Lv Zhexiong had no choice but to direct her previously averted eyes back again.

Normally virtuous and upright, the Daoist Nun took just one glance before looking away as if burned, biting her lower lip, "Understood."

Chen Kuang turned another page, continuing, "This cultivation manual is for male practitioners, thus only details how to obtain the ’True Lead’. If it were for female practitioners, it should also include how to obtain the ’True Mercury’..."

He turned to Lv Zhexiong, "Do you have such a cultivation manual, Fellow Daoist?"

Lv Zhexiong nodded, "I do."

Chen Kuang further asked, "Then do you know what ’True Mercury’ is?"

Lv Zhexiong, with a flushed face, avoided Chen Kuang’s gaze, answering, "The yin within the li... is the ’True Mercury’."

Chen Kuang pressed, "And what is the yin within the li?"

As serious as ever, he said, "I haven’t read other cultivation manuals, just barely grasping; truly, I do not know. I hope you can enlighten me, too, Fellow Daoist."

To discuss the path, to truly discuss, it couldn’t be just teaching from one side.

Thinking this, and remembering how much Chen Kuang had helped her, Lv Zhexiong resolved to assist since he sought her counsel, this time for something he didn’t understand.

Moreover, in her view, Chen Kuang seemed like an all-knowing senior figure. The thought of her limited talent often brought feelings of inadequacy.

Now, with him seeking her guidance, her confidence grew slightly.

No matter what, she must teach well!

With this thought, Lv Zhexiong fully immersed herself in the atmosphere of ’discussing the path’, overcoming her shame and said:

"The yin within is the utmost yin, obtained from a man’s body."

Chen Kuang’s smile deepened, "How is it obtained?"

Lv Zhexiong tried earnestly to recall, intending to respond and then paused abruptly.

No, why was she being so earnest now?!

Wasn’t this a golden opportunity?

He does not know.

Then why not teach him directly... Seekers of the path must find their answers on the path.

Lv Zhexiong bit her lip, gathered her courage, and said:

"Words alone are unconvincing... I can, I can demonstrate for you, try it once, and you’ll know."

As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer.

The Daoist Nun glanced up at Chen Kuang; her fox-like phoenix eyes were as though clouded by mist, moistly emitting waves of heat.

Her hands released the cultivation manual, sneakily tucking the sachet into Chen Kuang’s palm.

Chen Kuang’s gaze darkened as he teased no more and said softly, "Excellent... where shall we begin?"

Lv Zhexiong took the cultivation manual, simultaneously pulling Chen Kuang’s hand, directing him according to the manual:

"’The original point of granting qi and generating life’... is here."

Chen Kuang grabbed her, the two trading places, sitting her on his lap as he chuckled, "Why didn’t you remember earlier?"

Lv Zhexiong, biting her lip, let out a soft hum, body and heart indulged, leaning hazily into him:

"Without practice, can’t remember."

The otherwise righteous and virtuous Daoist Nun acting coquettishly was really too much.

Chen Kuang took a deep breath, nodded earnestly, "Looks like for Fellow Daoist’s cultivation, more practice is essential..."